SENIOR, SOLOMON

SENIOR, SOLOMON (16th century), Marrano notable. Descended from Abraham *Seneor, the last crown rabbi of Castile, who converted to Christianity, Solomon Senior was born a Marrano under the name Juan Perez and is said to have become governor of Segovia. He later escaped to *Turkey, where he adopted Judaism and entered the service of Joseph *Nasi, duke of Naxos, becoming his principal adviser on political matters. Nasi so relied on his judgment that he was spoken of as the other's right eye. Solomon Senior was the father of Dr. Francisco Coronel (Coronello), who was ostensibly a Catholic; the latter administered the duchy of Naxos for Nasi and defended it when attacked by the Venetian fleet during the War of Cyprus (1571).